How to remove PT end bell?

[dehughes]

Hey all,

I need to remove the end bell on the bottom of my PT, as the chassis cutout will not allow an end bell to fit. The PT is a(nother) Heyboer PT, so I'm not sure exactly what is used to keep the end bell on (varnish?). I've e-mailed Heyboer as well, but I figured someone here might know.

Thanks.

[tubeswell]

Hiya dehughes

They normally just come off when they are unbolted. There might be a bit of gunk holding the nuts to the bolts, and/or there might be a bit of varnish or paint sticking the end bell to the lams, but that doesn't scare men like us right?

[Phil_S]

What Tubeswell says...you might run a razor knife around the margin to split the varnish that might be keeping it from coming loose. I'd tend to steer clear of a screw driver for fear of distorting it or making some sort of dent it the edge.

A block of wood and a rubber mallet may also prove useful. A quick blow might free it. Razor first, though. It is possible you can insert the razor about .25" and run it all around. That will help a great deal.

[billyz]

As Phil said. I use a Razor blade or two and a little heat via hot air gun.

[dehughes]

Yeah, I was tempted to just go for it with a screwdriver, etc., but that end bell is on there pretty good....lacquer has it pretty secure, even with the bolts and little plastic spacers removed. I like the razor blade and heat gun idea....as I was contemplating putting the PT in the oven to loosen up the lacquer. Also, I like the "put the PT in a vise and whack the end bell with a rubber mallet" idea as well. My friend has a nice vise and heat gun, so I'll see if I can go about it that way.

[dehughes]

Two quick hits with a rubber mallet and it's off! Thanks guys...easy fix (one of the rare ones, huh?).

[paulster]

A knife is a good solution. You don't want to separate any of the lams through impact.

The endbells on Heyboers are usually pretty well stuck on!

[dehughes]

From Heyboer:

David,

It just varnish that is holding it..Wedge something under it or hit it with a rubber mallet it will come loose.

Alden